Archive for November, 2013

Jeffrey Wright’s solo project Unconditional Arms recently released an album titled “Kinship” made to celebrate the birth of his newborn son, Owen born on August 8th, 2013. The album explores a fusion of ambient, emo and post-rock soundscapes drawing inspiration from Explosions in The Sky and Godspeed! You Black Emperor. With six instrumental tracks, the motivation drawn from the birth of his first-born son is clear with lyrics just not able to convey the incalculable emotions a new child presents. Read Wright’s words about the release below.

” ‘Kinship’ is an album that I have made as a gift to my newbown son, Owen. Everything on the album is a direct representation of some the fears, joys and miracles that come with creating another human through my own unique perspective. As he grows older, I’m sure there will be plenty more new areas of morality and humanity for me to explore and transpose – but for now, I just want to give him an everlasting gift as a welcome into this world from the bottom of my heart, utilizing what I know best. Music.”

Stream the album below in its entirety and depending on your location pick up the album here for the EU/UK, here for Japan, and here for the US. The album is available in a variety of different formats and packages including limited edition 12″ vinyl records. For more information check out the project’s website.

UK-based punk rock band The Dirt Radicalshave released a music video for their newest single, Pop-Punk Left Me In A Pop-Funk. The track is off their sophomore release, “Enter Destroyer”. The song was originally written by frontman Sam Cooper, in which he explores his own life struggles; from growing up in a divorced household, alcoholism, to a string of heartbreak, and bulimia. Here’s what Cooper had to say about the track.

“I was unhappy for a long time, but now at the age of 28 I’m settling into my own skin and accepting things for what they are. I have my friends and family, my band, and I get to travel the world doing rock shows which is what I love best. I made a world that I can call my own.”

Check out the video for the track below! You can pick up their album Enter Destroyerhere.

Heartland rock giant Bruce Springsteen has unveiled the track list and album artwork via Facebook and Twitter for his new album titled “High Hopes”. The album contains two previously released tracks, American Skin (41 Shots) and The Ghost of Tom Joad, which will be revamped for this new album. Similarly, a cover of The Havalinas‘ track High Hopes was also previously released on The Boss’ 1996 EP “Blood Brothers”, meaning the album’s titular track is an updated cover. After touring with the band earlier this year Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine has provided his masterful guitar skills and vocals on songs from the forthcoming release. Springsteen is set to finish up his tour of South Africa, and then head down to Australia and New Zealand to complete his Wrecking Ball tour. (For dates click here) The new album “High Hopes” is set to be released on January 14th 2014 and you can pre-order it on iTunes. Check out the tracklist and album artwork below.

Tracklist:
1. High Hopes
2. Harry’s Place
3. American Skin (41 Shots)
4. Just Like Fire Would
5. Down In The Hole
6. Heaven’s Wall
7. Frankie Fell In Love
8. This Is Your Sword
9. Hunter Of Invisible Game
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad
11.The Wall
12. Dream Baby Dream

London-based trio Whales In Cubicles have released a music video for their new track ‘Golden Medal’ ahead of their debut album release on January 27th 2014. Founded by frontman Stef Bernardi, Whales In Cubicles are the product of a soul-searching expedition that saw Bernardi travel from his home in Italy throughout the United States. The line-up was made complete with a chance encounter in Washington D.C. between Bernardi and fellow members Alex and Jamie, before the group found their home in the UK.

The band create complex but often minimalist soundscapes that draw influence from 90’s alternative rock and psychedelia. Their new music video based on a talent show includes a person dancing dressed as Pikachu, a child practicing martial arts and a Simon Cowell look-alike playing a medley of instruments. I’m confident however that this emerging trio came out on top of the show, despite Pikachu’s slick moves.

Their forthcoming debut album was recorded at Monnow Valley Studio with producer Nick Mailing and mixed by Simon Barnicott, and will be released via CLUB.THE.MAMMOTH. Watch the music video for Golden Medal below and pick up the track for free on the outfit’s Bandcamp. For more information and tour dates check out their Facebook, Twitter and website.

Honestly, this entire track feels like a missed opportunity: no Drake hook,Timbo taking a turn on the mic, no Jay outside of the intro (which, depending on who you’re talking to in 2013 might be considered a blessing). There are, however, a few bright spots: check out the Timbaland-laced, Fauntleroy-graced “Know Bout Me” below, complete with some stu-stu-stu-stu-stutters from October’s Very Own.

Italian electronic psychedelia outfitJapanese Gum known for their heavy use of soothing vocals and dreamy loops, have unveiled a new single titled Homesick from their forthcoming album ‘High Dreams’. Supporting the likes of Teen Daze, Selebrities and Prince Rama over the past year, and touring both Europe and America, this eclectic duo turned trio have been busy performing their brand of experimental electronic music.

Japanese Gum’s new single “Homesick” is layered with ethereal echoed sounds, hypnotic vocals, a medley of different percussion, and synthesizers creating a celestial shoegazing soundscape. Their new album ‘High Dreams’ will be available on December 2nd 2013 from all good digital stores. A 12” vinyl version of the album will also be released in early January. For more information “like” them on Facebook and check out their website. To download some of their past releases visit their Bandcamp and stream the new single below!

Philadelphian pop-punk giants The Wonder Years have released a music video for their song, “There, There”. The song is off their latest album, “The Greatest Generation”, out now on Hopeless Records. For more information and tour dates check out the band’s website. Buy the new album in digital format here and check out the video below!

Four piece outfit Mumblr from Kensington, North Philadelphia play a genre of music that they dub “fuzz punk”. With the stylings of second-wave emo bands such as The Promise Ring and an early Modest Mouse alternative punk feel their track “Puke” off of their upcoming release is one hell of a listen. Rapid distorted guitar strums, clamouring drums, and frantic vocals combined with the refrain, “I don’t know anything why do you lie to me?” is a recipe for distress leaving you eager for more. Mumblr have combined both of their EP’s to be released on a lush red cassette titled White Jesus/Black God via Austin, Texas based Fleeting Youth Records. Stream Puke along with the entire release below and pre-order the cassette and digital album here. Follow the band on Facebook for more information.

Bill Majoros’ project The Foreign Films has released a new single titled Fall Of The Summer Heart. It is an eight part song cycle from the forthcoming album “The Record Collector” set to be released in April of 2014.

In Marjoros’ words about the release, “The idea sprung while on tour in England. At first it was more a dream sequence than a song, but over time the fragments of mumbled melody took the foggy images of birds, ghosts, pinball machines, a fortune-teller, mermaids, a maze, an abandoned amusement park into a sonic tapestry. The track took just under one year of recording, with help from producer Carl Jennings, and players Kori Pop, and Kirk Starkey. ‘Fall Of The Summer Heart’ is meant to connect the dots from the past to the present. Taking references from not only 60s pop giants, but also modern sound wizards.”

The product is a holistic sonic journey lasting just under thirteen minutes with each part flowing seamlessly into the next filled with a variety of instruments and vocals. Stream Fall Of The Summer Heart below and pick up the single on Bandcamp on a “Name Your Price” basis. For more information follow The Foreign Films on Facebook.

The Swellers – “The Light Under Closed Doors”

The Swellers have been a staple in the punk scene for quite some time now, famous for releasing their incredible 2009 album Ups and Downsizing. The Michigan outfit have been criticized a little on signs that they were following the trend towards pop, but their recent album The Light Under Closed Doors, released just last week, has put those suspicions back in the closet. The Light Under Closed Doors demonstrates that the sound that people fell in love with is still there–and still strong.

The album gives a lot to laud about. As per usual, the new album’s lyrics are just as defining as ever, employing the classic “internal tension and melancholy” theme with catchy hooks, inducing the pop punk-esque ambivalent beauty and angst that The Swellers have expressed so well in the past. The riffs and melodies are catchy and engaging–definitely something worth dancing to (or, for the softcore, bobbing your head to). The juxtaposition between (comparatively) slower, more melody-driven songs like “Friends Again (We Can’t Be),” “Designated Driver,” and “High/Low,” and more gung-ho, in-your-face tunes like “Call It A Night,” “Big Hearts,” and “Great Lakes State” are also great. Even the questionable quality of the album, usually a negative feature on a studio recording, seems to paradoxically add to the album, giving a feeling of homeliness and intimacy, as if the songs were being performed on stage.

To be honest, there really isn’t much that detracts from the album. Those unfamiliar with heavier genres could probably note that the “wave of sound” in The Light Under Closed Doors is overwhelming and too uniform; also, very staunch fans of The Swellers could, imaginably, compare this as still being in the shadow of Ups and Downsizing. However, as long as you’re interested in the overarching punk genre at all, you won’t regret taking a listen to this at all. In fact, you might just be like me and love it.